HISTORY

The traditional Sikh festival had started when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh decided to inaugurate such a festival, especially in the territory of Punjab and Haryana.

Guru Gobind Singh and his troop were into a combat against Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor and later on against the Rajputs. The name of the force which was founded by Guru Gobind Singh was Khalsa Panth. A new concept of dedicating a day for the poetry contest and mock fight had come into the picture long back on 22nd February, 1701. It was held in Holgarh fort at the north-western corridor of Anandpur Sahib, spread across the Rivulet Charan Ganga. Slowly but definitely these mock fights were extended over a sprawling area of Kiratpur Sahib and other Gurdwaras all over the world. The popularity of this Sikh festival is now immense.

The intrepid and enthusiastic performers from various corners of the town prepare themselves for many years to perform brave acts like tent pegging, Gatka (mock with real weapons), bareback horse riding, stand on two horses at the same time and many other war sports. The colorful and well decorated procession leaves the Takhat Keshgarh Sahib (one of the Sikh religious places) and it moves around the city Gurudwaras before coming back again to Takhar Keshgarh. The taste of local flavors and cultures are associated with each and every aspect of the enthralling occasion. Savor the tastes of the traditional Punjabi meals, specially prepared for the tourists and outsiders. The meal is called Langars. Pilgrims and tourists sit in rows which are known as pangats, to have their foods.